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Horm Metab Res 2001; 33(9): 554-558
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-17205
Original Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Cocaine-Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Influences Energy Metabolism, Anxiety and Gastric Emptying in Mice

A. Asakawa 1 , A. Inui 1 , H. Yuzuriha 1 , T. Nagata 1 , T. Kaga 1 , N. Ueno 1 , M. A. Fujino 2 , M. Kasuga 1
  • 1 Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
  • 2 First Department of Internal Medicine, Yamanashi Medical University, Tamaho, Nakakoma, Yamanashi, Japan
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 September 2001 (online)

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This study was designed to investigate the effects of cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), a recently discovered hypothalamic neuropeptide, on food intake, anxiety, oxygen consumption and gastric emptying in mice. Intracerebroventricular (i. c. v.) injection of CART (1 - 100 pmol) markedly reduced food intake in a dose-related manner. A significant decrease was observed 20 min after i. c. v. injection of CART and continued for four hours. In the elevated plus maze test, i. c. v. CART injection significantly raised the normal preference for the closed arms. Furthermore, the i. c. v. injection of CART significantly reduced oxygen consumption and gastric emptying rate. These results suggest that CART modulates feeding, emotion, and autonomic functions in mice.

Key words:

Anxiogenic - Cocaine-Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript - Feeding - Gastric Emptying - Intracerebroventricular - Mice - Oxygen Consumption

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A. Inui,M.D., Ph.D. 

Second Department of Internal Medicine
Kobe University School of Medicine

7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku
Kobe 650-0017
Japan


Phone: + 81 (78) 382-5862

Fax: + 81 (78) 382-2080

Email: inui@med.kobe-u.ac.jp